ILO to probe RP compliance with int’l laws

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Labor and Employment on Saturday said it welcomed the visit of an International Labor Organization mission to probe the country’s compliance with labor rules, noting that the mission would be in consultation with the Philippine government.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said the government has accepted the request of the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards to send a mission to the Philippines after due consultations with labor and management.

The mission, which is scheduled to arrive on Monday, will look into complaints filed by militant workers’ group with the United Nations body. Roque said the delegation will also probe the killings of trade unionists and labor leaders in the country.

The labor chief noted that the delegation will meet with the government, labor, and management sectors to address problems and gaps in the application of Convention 87.

The convention, to which the Philippines is a signatory, pertains to the protection of the workers’ freedom to associate and their right to organize.

DoLE said reports on the number of labor-related killings could be exaggerated.

According to the department, the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno reported only 39 cases as labor-related killings to ILO and not 92 as reports indicated. The labor department said verification by the authorities also showed that of the 39 cases, 24 involved the same persons indicated by Karapatan as victims of political killings.

Only 13 cases are possibly labor-related in which victims were either union organizers or union members. Some of these cases involved ordinary crimes not related to Convention 87, DoLE said.

Roque also noted that the ILO mission would discuss reports of police and military presence in industrial zones. According to Roque, the presence of law enforcement authorities is allowed in areas where there is labor lockdown or strike to maintain peace and order. –Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer